How a kidney channel (ROMK) helps keep potassium levels steady
Molecular of ROMK Channel Function
This work looks at whether changes in a kidney channel called ROMK and the neighboring tubule help the body keep blood potassium within a safe range.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252784 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are studying how ROMK channels in the kidney and a nearby tubule remodel and respond to blood potassium. They will use genetically modified mice that can lose ROMK in specific kidney cells, advanced 3-D imaging to watch tubule structure change, and molecular lab tests to follow signaling proteins like WNK1/WNK4 and ERK. The team will also test whether Notch pathway signals control the tubule’s growth and use mathematical models to connect cell-level changes to whole-body potassium balance. The goal is to link these findings to conditions where potassium control goes wrong in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with disorders of potassium balance—such as unexplained low or high potassium, or genetic conditions affecting ROMK/KCNJ1—would be most likely to follow or benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose kidney problems arise from causes unrelated to potassium handling or ROMK function may not see direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat dangerous high or low potassium levels and guide future therapies for related kidney disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies have identified ROMK’s role and parts of the proposed 'potassium switch', but translating these basic discoveries into treatments is still early and mainly preclinical.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Welling, Paul a — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Welling, Paul a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.